Mounting for wire splice modules

ABSTRACT

A frame assembly for supporting wire splice modules in position permitting cross-connect capability includes opposed parallel spaced vertical panels defining an inner wire run and having a plurality of oppositely extending upwardly slanted module support arms defining outer wire runs.

United States Patent 1 Miller et al.

[54] MOUNTING FOR WIRE SPLICE MODULES [75] Inventors: Donald F. Miller;Leo E. Anthone,

both of St. Paul; Richard D. Kahabka, Burnsville, all of Minn.

[73] Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul,Minn.

[22] Filed: Nov. 23, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 91,863

[52] U.S. Cl. ..269/37, 269/10, 269/40 [51] Int. Cl. ..B25b 1/24 [58]Field of Search ..269/9, 10, 37, 40, 52, 283, 269/296, 321 W; 242/139;29/203 P, 203

MW, 200 J, 200 P [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,101,9398/1963 Richter ..269/40 1 Feb. 20, 1973 3,337,158 8/1967 Ball ..242/1393,411,681 11/1968 Bergman 461,216 10/1891 Faustmann ..269/283 X1,587,682 6/1926 Siegfried ..269/283 X 2,580,772 1/1952 Hawkins......269/52 X 1,556,882 10/1925 Weaver ..269/16 X 1,135,125 4/1925Masler.... 242/139 X 2,310,774 2/1943 Garbe ..269/40 2,944,761 7/1960Best.... ..242/139 Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. AssistantExaminer-Eugene F. Desmond Attorney-Kinney, Alexander, Sell, Steldt &Delahunt [57] ABSTRACT A frame assembly for supporting wire splicemodules in position permitting cross-connect capability includes opposedparallel spaced vertical panels defining an inner wire run and having aplurality of oppositely extending upwardly slanted module support armsdefining outer wire runs.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures MOUNTING FOR WIRE SPLICE MODULES Thisinvention relates to the splicing of communications cables and inparticular to apparatus for supporting modular connectors in positionfor convenient access in making cross-connections.

Modular connectors for communications cables have been described, in US.application Ser. No. 823,598, as comprising interengaging elongate baseand body members each transversely grooved to provide a series ofparallel open-ended wire-receiving grooves. The body member additionallycarries a series of transverse ridges fitting into the grooves of thebase, and a series of contact elements for making electrical connectionsbetween wires placed within the two sets of grooves. A laterally ridgedcover member may additionally be included.

In using the modular connectors for splicing together two cable-ends,wire-pairs of one cable-end are placed in order in the grooves of a basemember. A body member is then fitted against the base and pressed intoplace. Wire pairs of the other cable-end are then placed in appropriateorder in the grooves of the body member, and a cover member is fittedagainst the body and pressed into place, thus completing the splice.

In making cross connections between cables, the wire-pairs of the twocables are first separately connected between base and body of separatemodular connectors. Jumper or cross connect wires are then individuallyinserted into appropriate grooves of the two body members to make thedesired interconnections.

The present invention provides frame assembly means for organizing andsupporting the several modules required in communications cablecross-connecting. The modules may be individually added after beingconnected into the cable. Each module is positioned for easy access bothfor cross-connecting and for inspection and testing purposes. Adequatespace is provided to serve as wire-runs for incoming and outgoing cablesand for cross-connect leads.

The invention will for convenience be further described in terms of theappended illustrative drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a top plan view,

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevation,

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation, and

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective, of one form of module-support frame,

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of frame, and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are top and end views respectively of a module supportattachment member used with the frame of FIGS. 1-4.

As most easily visualized from FIG. 4, the frame 10 may comprise a base11 on which is supported two opposed parallel spaced vertical metalpanels 12, 13. Each panel carries at both edges a number of uniformlyspaced module support arms l4, 15, 16, 17 each extending outwardly andin line with the corresponding arm of the opposite panel. A centralbrace 18 is attached across the upper ends of the panels 12, 13 and mayin turn carry two upwardly open channels 19, 20. Open areas 21 in thebase 11 provide further access to the central wire-run defined by thetwo panels; two outer wire-runs are defined by the two panels and theirextended module support arms respectively.

An insulative plastic module support attachment, shown in more detail inFIGS. 6 and 7, is placed over each of the support arms 14-17. Theattachment 22 has a hollow body 23 fitting over the support arm andhaving an outwardly facing upwardly and inwardly slanted surface 24. Atthe outer end a terminally inwardly bent arm 25 extends from the body23, and a generally L- shaped boss 26 extends perpendicularly from theslant face 24. A short leg 27 extends downwardly from near the inner endof the body and is inwardly grooved to provide a groove 28 for a purposeto be described. It will be understood that both left-hand andright-hand support attachments, having the same components butoppositely positioned, are provided.

The support attachments 22 fit onto the support arms 14-17 as moreclearly shown in FIG. 3 wherein arms 22 are shown mounted on supports16, 17 and in turn carry modules 29, 30. The modules are firmly butremovably retained in position against the slant faces 24 by the bosses26 which fit snugly into L-shaped openings in the ends of the modulemembers. The arms 25 of the two attachments 22 extend toward each otherand partially close the open outer area of the outer wire-run. Thegrooved legs 27 fit over the exposed sharp edges 31, 32 of the metalpanel 13 beneath the arms 16, 17.

A suitable protective cover or enclosure such as the slip-on cover 33surrounds the entire structure and fastens to the base 1 1.

In use, ingoing' and outgoing cables are brought into the inner run ofthe frame through the openings 21. The wire-pairs of respective bundlesare connected between base and body members of connector modules whilethe same are suitably supported exteriorly of the frame 10, for examplein a splice head on an assembly bracket, not shown, and which may betemporarily attached to the base 11 or to some other support. As eachmodule assembly is completed, the module is placed on the uppermostvacant pair of arms, the interconnected wires of the cable remainingwithin the inner wire-run between the panels 12, 13. It will be seenthat the wires and cables are readily accessible from either open faceof the run and beneath the previously installed modules.

As previously indicated, the modules fit over the retaining bosses 26 ofthe attachments 22 and against the slant faces 24, thereby being madereadily accessible at both the upper surface and the outer edge, formaking further connections or for test procedures or other purposes.

In making cross-connections, for example between modules at oppositefaces of the frame, the cross-connect wires are introduced from the sideof the frame between the module and the next upper module, between thebent ends of the opposing arms 25, and into the outer wirerun; thenceupwardly, across the strap 18 and if necessary across the tops of thetwo panels 12, 13, and downwardly alongside the same or opposite outerwire-run to the appropriate position for insertion between the arms 25and to the other module.

In many instances a cross-connection will be desired between modulessupported on adjoining frames. The (optional) open channels 19, 20 serveto support those jumper wires extending between adjoining frames.

The modification shown in FIG. 5 is designed for wall rather thanpedestal mounting. The base 51, panels 52, 53, arms 54, 55, and bentarms 56, 57 are formed from a single sheet of metal. The outer faces ofthe arms 54, 55 are upwardly slanted to receive the modules and areprovided with module-retaining bosses, not shown. A cover 58 having ahinged door arrangement completes the assembly. Multiples of the unitare mounted in vertical rather than horizontal alignment. Cables areintroduced from both ends of the assembly, and jumper wires arestretched vertically between modules of adjacent frames.

The frames are conveniently stamped from metal plate. Plastic attachmentmembers 22 then serve to provide insulation and to protect the wiresfrom the sharp metal edges; or the entire frame may be coated withprotective insulation, or may be constructed'of reinforced plastic orother suitable structural material.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A frame for supporting wire splice modules in position for crossconnection therebetween and comprising parallel spaced vertical panelseach having along both vertical edges a plurality of uniformly spacedmodule support arms extending outwardly and in line with correspondingarms of the other panel, said arms each having an upwardly and inwardlyslanting module support surface, said panels defining an inner verticalwire-run and said arms and panels defining two outer vertical wire-runs.

2. Frame of claim 1 wherein said arms each terminate in an outerextension serving further to define said outer wire runs.

3. Frame of claim 2 wherein each of said arms includes near the outerend of its slanting surface a module-retaining boss.

4. Frame of claim 3 wherein said boss has a generally L-shapedcross-section.

5. Frame of claim 2 wherein said slanting surface and said extension areprovided by a plastic attachment.

. 6. Frame of claim 2 wherein said slanting surface and said extensionare integral with said panel.

7. Frame of claim 1 wherein is included across the upper ends of saidpanels a central brace extending across said inner and outer wire-runs.

8. Frame of claim 7 wherein is included on said brace a pair of upwardlyopen channel members one above each of said outer wire-runs.

1. A frame for supporting wire splice modules in position for crossconnection therebetween and comprising parallel spaced vertical panelseach having along both vertical edges a plurality of uniformly spacedmodule support arms extending outwardly and in line with correspondingarms of the other panel, said arms each having an upwardly and inwardlyslanting module support surface, said panels defining an inner verticalwire-run and said arms and panels defining two outer verticalwire-runs.
 1. A frame for supporting wire splice modules in position forcross connection therebetween and comprising parallel spaced verticalpanels each having along both vertical edges a plurality of uniformlyspaced module support arms extending outwardly and in line withcorresponding arms of the other panel, said arms each having an upwardlyand inwardly slanting module support surface, said panels defining aninner vertical wire-run and said arms and panels defining two outervertical wire-runs.
 2. Frame of claim 1 wherein said arms each terminatein an outer extension serving further to define said outer wire runs. 3.Frame of claim 2 wherein each of said arms includes near the outer endof its slanting surface a module-retaining boss.
 4. Frame of claim 3wherein said boss has a generally L-shaped cross-section.
 5. Frame ofclaim 2 wherein said slanting surface and said extension are provided bya plastic attachment.
 6. Frame of claim 2 wherein said slanting surfaceand said extension are integral with said panel.
 7. Frame of claim 1wherein is included across the upper ends of said panels a central braceextending across said inner and outer wire-runs.